How To Metal Scream: The Best Screaming Techniques

Are you an aspiring vocalist and a fan of heavy genres? Then you might want to learn how to metal scream. In this article, we will teach you how to do such complicated technique safely and efficiently.

We know that a lot of you are huge fans of Slipknot, Metallica, System Of A Down, and Linkin Park. Of course, aside from their smashing and ear-tingling abilities to play various instruments, it is their vocals that made you swoon over them. Deep inside you, there is a great urge to imitate such kind of compelling screams.

The screams made by these world-renowned bands are really mesmerizing. But you should know that attempting to copy these screams can crush your vocal chords. In the long run, it might even cause permanent vocal damages. But how vocalists like Chester Bennington were able to do it without suffering major problems?

Well, there is a way to scream safely. However, it will require you enough practice and discipline. The key here is for you to be able to protect your voice. Metal screams should come from your lungs. And although it is quite a simple concept, it is not that easy to do.

How to Metal Scream

Protecting your Voice

The first thing that you have to learn in scream singing is warming up. Shouting or any forceful type of vocal release are not advisable is your vocal folds are feeling flimsy. Apparently, pushing your voice too hard can cause swelling in the throat. At some point, it could lead to severe damages.

Even professional singers need to vocalize, just like athletes who would do a regimen of warm-up before the actual game. Doing all these preparations will condition your body to whatever needs to do. For singing, there are a lot of warm-up techniques that you can use.

Here are some of them:

Sing Trills - This particular vocalization will condition the muscles of your lips and tongue. To do this, you just have to hum a tone while trilling your lips or tongue simultaneously.

Scaling - Try to recite songs with regular intervals. Specifically, there should be two-octave intervals in the song that you will practice.

Another thing that you should do is to keep your body healthy. If your body is feeling unpleasant, then you must not push yourself. Sensations of pain and irritation to the voice can lead to unwanted changes in your voice if you force yourself to scream.

Of course, it is also crucial for you to take breaks. As you know already, scream-singing is putting your vocal chords into pressure. The usual aftermath of it would be discomfort and hoarseness in your voice. If you feel that your voice is not doing well already, then take a break from practice. In this way, you can avoid strains.

Limitations - For beginners, we have to remind that you should only sing for a maximum of twenty minutes per day only. But you can exceed these constraints once you can hone the strength of your vocals.

Scream Singing

The most vital part of metal scream is to know which parts of your body coordinate to achieve such. The science for screaming is not that complicated. But it is essential for you to learn them so that you can avoid unwanted voice damages. Specifically, the four parts of your body that contribute to the scream are the following: chest, diaphragm, throat, and mouth.

Mouth Shape

Metal screams are usually loud and deafening. Obviously, you can't do such feats if your mouth is not fully opened. In screaming, it is crucial that your mouth is free from obstructions. The opening you create should be wide, too.

Moreover, you need to control your screams as well. It might not be obvious from a layman's standpoint, but professional singers always restrict their voices. Specifically, they avoid sound distortions as it can stress their vocal tracts.

The Role of the Throat

Your throat is vital is this process. You cannot create any good-sounding tone if your throat is not in its top condition. Furthermore, scream-singing requires you to open your throat entirely as well. In this way, you can release as much sound as you can. Once again, avoid distortions so that you can prevent the throat muscles from constricting.

Tips:

You can get the initial "feel" of opening your throat by yawning. The entire mechanism of yawning is almost the same as scream-singing. This is a traditional technique that allows you to exercise the different regions of your throat.

Meanwhile, your tongue should assume a flat position. As we mentioned earlier, you have to avoid in obstructions in the opening of your mouth so that you can release the full prowess of your voice. The throat won't be able to unleash those screaming sounds if your tongue is out of place.

Breathing

Before you can do a metal scream, you must regulate your breathing. Specifically, your chest should be as relaxed as possible while you are breathing calmly. Relaxing the muscles in your chest will allow you to breathe and open your mouth widely. This kind of body gesture is the appropriate stance for scream-singing.

However, if you feel the opposite, or if you are sensing that your airflow is inadequate, then you stop immediately. Try the exercise once again, and if you feel the same thing, then you should rest already.

Getting Distortion from your Chest

It is not in the vocal chords where you get the distortion. Instead, it should be on your chest. This particular region is the strongest are of the windpipe. Therefore, all the power of your screams should originate from here, not in your throat.

Practice Makes Perfect

Practicing is essential for any form of art and profession. Whether it is singing or painting, practice is a game-changing factor. Even if you have natural talents for a particular field, if you don't harness it, it will rust eventually. You should apply the same concept in scream-singing as well.

In practicing for metal screams, you should try to modulate your voice. Practicing in loud notes will strain your voice quickly. Therefore, you might want to do some quick training with a fixed volume level. Once you do this constantly, you will be able to strengthen your voice fully.

Meanwhile, check out this video about metal scream basics:

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Conclusion

You should follow the techniques and tips here if you want to know how to metal scream properly. As you progress, you will realize that these basic methods are truly beneficial to your voice.

Of course, do not forget to practice with moderation. You have to keep in mind that your voice has its limits, too. Pushing it too hard might be deleterious on your part.

Did you learn from this article? If you have other techniques in scream-singing, then you could share it with us in the comment section below! Also, you can share your love with us by sharing this article to your social media accounts!

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About the Author

Hi everyone! Im Monica and I am an avid lover of guitars and everything in-between. My current profession is not really music-related. It is quite discouraging but I just don't want to drop my zeal--especially not to guitars! I created GuitarTrance.Com so that I can keep up with my hobby. Of course, I want to engage with the community as well! Hope we can all get along!

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